Fashion Illustrators have had massive impacts on the art and fashion industry, and their art, especially by those who made a career of their skills, hangs in museums worldwide. Here are some of the most influential artists who have made a name for themselves in fashion and illustration:
Erté
Erté was a French-Russian fashion designer born in St. Petersburg, Russia 1892. In 1912, he left Russia at the age of 18 in hopes of becoming an artist. He was told many times throughout his career that he had no talent and would never succeed as an artist. Despite this, he sent his drawings and sketches to the most famous person in European fashion at the time, Paul Poiret.
The last letter of Erté’s Alphabet, a set of illustrated letters he designed between 1927 and 1967. © Sevenarts Ltd
When Poiret offered him a job at his company, it was almost transparent that Erté would become a spectacle in the Parisian fashion world. Some of his most outstanding achievements include creating the entire wardrobe for Pierre LouÿsLouÿs' Aphrodite at the Théâtre de la Renaissance.
Erté, by John Hedgecoe/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images
He did not just design dresses here; he oversaw the creation process within Poiret's workshop and continued working in diverse fields. He hand-crafted original costumes and fashion designs for many of the era's most renowned screen actresses. He also worked with Harper's Bazaar; their relationship lasted over twenty years. He also greatly influenced the Art Deco movement, his lasting effect giving him the title of "The King of Art Deco." He has left a lasting impact on the fashion and creative industry, from which many designers have taken inspiration and will continue to do so.
René Gruau
René Gruau was an Italian Artist known for his fashion illustration. Throughout his career, he supported himself by selling his works, and in 1947, he signed a contract with Christian Dior. They commissioned him to create a Miss Dior advertisement that jump-started his career. He is known for his bold colors, thin line work, and block-like shapes. He channeled a lot of old-style graphic illustrations and Eastern painting techniques. He also worked for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue and produced ads for Moulin Rouge, Bemberg, and many more.
Photo: The Ross Art Group
He has been employed by some of the most familiar names in fashion, including Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Lanvin, and his illustrations have had a lasting effect on the designers of the time, as well as those designing today.
Antonio Lopez
For the past few years, the 1970s have come back in full force, and parts of it we can owe to Antonio Lopez. Lopez first came into the view of the fashion world in the 1960s with his bold illustrations of models. He particularly liked working with real people because of the authenticity of having the piece in front of you. He was known for his bold colors, silhouettes, and knack for unconventional beauty. He also championed women of color within his inspiration and work, significantly impacting the fashion industry and inclusivity.
Antonio Lopez and Nancy North at Café Bonaparte, Paris, 1972.
He expanded the definitions of beauty and remained an arbiter of style. He worked closely with many other artists and designers throughout his career and has worked with some of the biggest brand names in fashion then and today.
Carol LaBrie, for Italian Vogue, 1971.
At the time of his most prominent work, ready-to-wear fashion was becoming more popular, and he and his partner Juan Ramos brought a new kind of power and newfound sexuality to the clothing by channeling streetwear, which considerably altered many elements of fashion, especially high-end fashion collections. His pieces and art have lasted the test of time, especially in an age that takes so much inspiration from streetwear, making him a lasting spectacle in the industry.
By Ani Grigsby